South Pole Atmospheric Trace Gas and Aerosol Observations from 1998-1999

ISCAT 1998 field season observations include measurements of NO, OH, MSA, H2SO4, DMS, and SO2 trace gases, along with aerosol data and photolytic rate coefficients. The dataset was collected by researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology's School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, led by Dr. Douglas D. Davis. Data collection occurred at the South Pole's Atmospheric Research Observatory from late November 1998 to early January 1999.

Use Cases

• Analyze temporal trends in sulfur dioxide (SO2) and dimethyl sulfide (DMS) concentrations to study biogenic sulfur cycles in the Antarctic atmosphere.
• Correlate nitric oxide (NO) and hydroxyl radical (OH) measurements with photolytic rate coefficients (j-values) to model photochemical reaction rates.
• Investigate the relationship between methanesulfonic acid (MSA) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) aerosol data to understand aerosol formation and composition.
• Use the coordinated trace gas and aerosol measurements from the clean air sector to validate atmospheric chemistry models for pristine polar conditions.

Strengths

• Data includes coordinated measurements of six key trace gases (NO, OH, MSA, H2SO4, DMS, SO2), aerosol properties, and photolytic rates.
• Measurements were taken from the 'clean air sector' (0-120 degrees) at the South Pole, representing a pristine atmospheric environment.
• Detailed readme files describe data format, measurement techniques, precisions, accuracies, and detection limits for each sensor.

Limitations

• Dataset is temporally limited to a single field season of approximately six weeks from late 1998 to early 1999.
• Spatial coverage is restricted to a single sampling location at the South Pole's Atmospheric Research Observatory.
• Data format and structure are described in separate readme files, requiring initial review before analysis.

Provenance

Source

Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, project ISCAT.

Collection Method

Field observations using dedicated sensors and measurement techniques for trace gases and aerosols, sampled from the Atmospheric Research Observatory building.

Time Range

Late November 1998 to early January 1999.

Freshness

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Geography

South Pole, specifically the Atmospheric Research Observatory (ARO) building.